Sixteen years after the record-breaking hailstorm struck Vivian, South Dakota, the impact remains visible in the small town of 98 residents. The July 2010 storm produced the largest hailstone ever officially recorded in the United States—a two-pound hailstone roughly the size of a dodgeball—that damaged property and left lasting impressions on residents. Les Scott, who discovered the massive ice fragment, recounts the enduring marks it left on his lawn, car, and shed.
Hailstorms across the U.S. cause billions of dollars in annual damage, and experts say climate change may be contributing to an increase in both the size and frequency of these events. Victor Gensini, a professor at Northern Illinois University and director of the Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Convective Storms, notes that hail results in greater insured losses annually than other significant natural hazards such as tornadoes and wildfires. The formation of hail depends on strong thunderstorms with powerful updrafts that suspend raindrops in the upper atmosphere, allowing them to freeze and accumulate layers of ice before falling.
Gensini explains that rising global temperatures are intensifying these updrafts, which can prolong the time hailstones remain aloft and contribute to their growth, resulting in larger hailstones that cause more damage. Despite its destructive power, hail remains difficult to study due to its transient nature and the unpredictability of hailstorm locations. However, recent research efforts aim to improve understanding of the phenomenon.
In 2025, Project ICECHIP, a collaborative effort involving more than 70 researchers from 15 institutions, conducted a six-week field study across 12 states to gather hail samples and atmospheric data. Funded by an $11 million grant, this represents the first major hail research initiative in over four decades. Scientists are now analyzing their findings to identify patterns that could enhance forecasting and mitigate damage. Anthony Bernal Ayala, a senior research associate with Atmospheric and Environmental Research, highlights that hailstones preserve a layered history akin to tree rings, offering insight into their formation process.
The increasing cost of hail damage is evident in recent events. On May 8, 2017, a severe hailstorm struck Denver during the evening rush hour, dropping baseball-sized hail that shattered windows, damaged vehicles, and blanketed city streets. The Rocky Mountain Insurance Agency Association estimated the damage at nearly $2.3 billion, ranking it among the most expensive hailstorms in U.S. history.
Insurance industry data underscores the growing financial impact of such storms. According to risk management firm Aon, severe convective storms—encompassing hail, thunderstorms, and tornadoes—have caused annual losses averaging around $60 billion in recent years, with 2023 and 2024 losses reaching $64 billion and $57 billion, respectively. Hail accounts for 60 to 80 percent of these damages. The Great Plains, including Colorado, Nebraska, and Wyoming, face the highest hail risk.
Michael Conway, Colorado’s insurance commissioner, notes that hail, rather than wildfire, is the leading driver of insurance premiums in the state. While large, damaging hailstorms draw attention, Conway emphasizes that the frequency of hail events, particularly in densely populated areas along the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, significantly contributes to rising costs. He characterizes the issue as a “death-by-a-thousand-cuts” compared to the infrequent but devastating nature of wildfires.
Despite the evidence linking warmer conditions to more intense hail, attitudes toward climate change vary among affected residents. Les Scott, the Vivian resident who witnessed the 2010 storm firsthand, does not personally subscribe to climate change theories but acknowledges the overwhelming force of the storm and its lasting consequences for his community. While no serious injuries occurred, many residents faced substantial expenses to repair damaged roofs and property, underscoring the ongoing risk hailstorms pose to vulnerable areas.